Posted on May 28, 2018
If I've deployed to Afghanistan twice, should I have 1 or 2 NATO Medals? Do I need specific orders stating I've been awarded the NATO Medals?
7.74K
13
5
3
3
0
I'm about to get my DA Photo taken, I just want to ensure my ERB and my ASU's reflect properly. My questions is should I have 1 or 2 NATO Medals, and do I need specific orders stating I've been awarded the NATO Medal, or will my NATO orders for going to Afghanistan be enough? Both deployments were to Afghanistan, but one was for Operation Enduring Freedom, and the next was Operation Sentinel Freedom. My ERB reflects 2, but I want to make sure that's correct before I get my DA Photo.
Posted in these groups: 
Medals
Medals
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
3
3
0
Depends when your deployments were. You get one NATO medal per NATO operation. There were two operations in Afghanistan- ISAF lasted until the end of 2014 and RS started in 2015. If each deployment was on each side of Jan 1, 2015, you have both (ribbon with one bronze star). Otherwise both deployments would be in the same NATO operation, making you have only the one ribbon with no star. Remember the NATO ribbon is not like US campaign ribbons- the star indicates subsequent awards rather than number of campaigns.
(3)
(0)
LTC (Join to see)
Sorry, missed your other question. You should have a certificate with the NATO medal for documenting in your OMPF and ERB. It’s light blue and has a border consisting of the NATO country flags. As this certificate is awarded by a foreign entity, they have no way of verifying whether you have received one in the past and likely give one to everyone leaving theater regardless. Check the certificate for date and operation name. For example, if you have two NATO certificates for ISAF, sorry, you still only have one NATO ribbon (ISAF). If you have one certificate for both ISAF and RS, then you can have both in your OMPF. Spoken from experience- I have 2x ISAF (pre 2015) certificates and one RS (post 2015) certificate, which only counts as two NATO medals.
Also a fun note, remember this has no bearing on the number of campaign stars on your Afghan campaign medal- that’s a whole different list of dates to check, but thankfully dates of your deployments are all that are needed for ERB verification.
Also a fun note, remember this has no bearing on the number of campaign stars on your Afghan campaign medal- that’s a whole different list of dates to check, but thankfully dates of your deployments are all that are needed for ERB verification.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
2
2
0
I would do one of two things. First talk to your PSG they might know the answer for you and might sit down with you and review your ERB. Second make an appointment with your PAC clerk. They she know the regulations on awards and can steer you i the right direction. Good luck
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google